If it isn't to crazy expensive and I have enough interest I would like to do it all in a Hifi-2000 case with panels also done by HF-2000. FPE is okay but there is a limit of what you can do.

Yeah, it is the basic casework that has kept my build cheap. The case I used is a very simple but sturdy 1U rackmount that cost me just ~US$40.

From TPA page:

"From Direct DSD, I2S and S/PDIF inputs"

I don't care too much about DSD input, but if one had a DSD transport like Meitner or DCS, can the Buffalo be fitted with some kind of DSD input connector to accomodate SACD stream?

Same with I2S. Can Buffalo be fitted with I2S input without too much fiddling around to accomodate something like the Northstar I2S transport?

The Buffalo can acccept I2S directly with the change of a jumper and dip switch.

^ You mind saying how you liked it compared to the D1 or you still waiting for more burn in time?

It's really hard to say which I like better. They both sound very good. I really want to hear them on a couple different setups and with speakers. I also plan on trying a resistor I/V stage with a tube buffer on the D1.